Scripture: “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” – 1 John 3:18
Examination of Song: Joseph Scriven (1819–1886) was no stranger to tragedy. His first experience involved his fiancée who drowned the day before their wedding. , Several years later, when notified of his mother’s illness, he wrote her a poem in hopes of encouraging her spiritually. When she received it, she gave it to a friend who published it, and it became a popular hymn, but no one knew who wrote it. Meanwhile, Joseph faced another blow. His second fiancée perished from pneumonia shortly before the marriage was to take place. To deal with the sorrow, he immersed himself into the ministry, preaching and doing charity work. The authorship of “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” was made known when a friend of Joseph’s found the original manuscript. In regard to the hymn, Joseph stated, “The Lord and I did it between us.” Scriven died as a result from drowning when, delirious from an illness, he stumbled into a creek and died.
Application: Yesterday was National Best Friend Day. There are not a lot of people who can say they have had a best friend for nearly 60 years, but I can! I met Lorrie in the 7th grade, and we have been “besties” since then. Just the other day I was fondly reflecting upon some of our adventures in our younger days. We were quite a pair, and each memory is a treasure. Our crazy antics resulted in lots of fun and laughter as we navigated our teenage years. We always managed to look beyond the faults of one another and see the good. Our bond has remained strong throughout the years, and no matter what situations may arise, I know that Lorrie will always be there for me, and I always will be there for her. That’s just what best friends do!
As special as our relationship is, I have another best friend who has known me longer and loved me more than any other person in my life. That someone is Jesus. He knew me and loved me when I was just a thought in His mind. Jeremiah 1:5 records God’s words, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee;”, and in Jeremiah 31:3, God states, “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” What is more amazing is that Jesus loved me when I was an enemy of His.
Colossians 1:21 clearly states that as a sinner, I was an enemy of God. “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled”, yet while I was a sinner, Jesus loved me enough to offer Himself as the atoning sacrifice for my sins. Romans 5:8 states, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” The Bible states, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13), and that is exactly what Jesus did for me.
Jesus is the best friend a person could have, and I’m so glad He’s mine!
Memory Verse: “Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.” – Proverbs 27:9
Stretching your thoughts:
1. Think about someone you would consider to be your best friend. What qualities does he or she possess that endears him/her to you?
What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer!
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge-- take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.
(from “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” by Joseph Medlicott Scriven)